Starting in 1968, the U.S. government funded a huge study called Project Follow-Through. It cost a billion dollars and ran almost thirty years. The purpose was to examine how different teachng methods or philosophies affected student performance. What they found was that the traditional *Direct instruction* method was the most effective. Are you familiar with this study?

*Orange, CA. News from Orange Unified--the Board of Education adopted the new California math standards (and the language standards) by a 7-0 vote July 9th, 1998. There was some discussion about how much money this is going to cost the district but there was no real dissent. Our standards advisory committee is thrilled, but we realized this is only the first step. We are now putting together a comprehensive plan regarding what needs to happen next.

*Mathematically Correct and the Wilson administration have called on the district to incorporate the state's recently implemented traditional math standards into its integrated math curricula instead, and the district should accede to the request." - Los Angeles Times Editorial on LAUSD, A Too-Hasty Math Move.

The key to understanding mathematics is taking algebra or courses covering algebraic concepts by the end of the 8th grade. Achievement at that stage gives students an important advantage in taking rigorous high school mathematics and science courses. However, many 8th and 9th graders may already be behind in their course selection to get on the road to college. Some students do not have access to rigorous mathematics courses -- either because their school does not offer everyone a full selection of challenging courses, or because not all students are prepared for and encouraged to enroll. The results of the recent Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) confirm that many students enter high school without a solid grounding in mathematics, closing doors very early for further education and better careers.

Students, parents and educators should review this important report and understand the significance of a solid foundation in mathematics as a key to college and career success.